November 25, 2020
Enrollment for Health Insurance is Still Open. It is Not Too Late to Get Coverage
Open enrollment is the designated time to buy health insurance for the 2021 calendar year from the health insurance marketplace. In most states, the 2021 open enrollment period is from Nov. 1, 2020 – Dec. 15, 2020. If you have individual or family health insurance, open enrollment allows you to update your plan. So, do not wait. Act now to get affordable health insurance.
If you are unsure where to begin in the health insurance marketplace, your best option is to contact a health insurance broker or agent who can discuss your situation, answer your questions, and compare insurance plans. Working with an agent eliminates the hassle of finding insurance on your own. Plus, you may be able to save money on your rates while still finding a great plan.
The Open Enrollment Period is Not the Same in Every State
In most states, Open Enrollment is a six-week period that runs from Nov. 1 – Dec. 15, 2020.
Some states have extended their Open Enrollment Periods, including:
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December 22, 2020 |
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January 15, 2021 |
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January 15, 2021 |
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January 15, 2021 |
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January 31, 2021 |
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January 31, 2021 |
If you want to enroll outside of Open Enrollment, you will need a qualifying life event, such as losing your health insurance, having a child, or moving. This will qualify you for a special enrollment period, a 60-day window when you can enroll in health insurance outside of the open enrollment period.
Required Information to Enroll in a
Health Insurance Plan
You can enroll for a health insurance plan online, over the phone, or in-person. Regardless of the method, if you are enrolling in a plan, you will need to have the following information on hand for each enrollee:
- Name, address, email address, social security number, birthday, and citizenship status
- Household size and income A wide range of documentation can be used to prove your income, including pay stubs, W2s, your most recent tax return, etc.
- Coverage details and premium for an employer-sponsored plan that is available to your household
- Payment information that the insurer will be able to use to charge your premiums
- Your doctors’ names and zip codes so that you can check to make sure they’re in-network with the health plans you are considering
- A list of medications taken by anyone who will be covered under the policy
- If you want to enroll in a catastrophic plan and you are 30 or older, you will need hardship exemption
When Will Your Health Insurance Plan Take Effect?
In almost all cases, your coverage is going to take effect on January 1, 2021, if you sign up during the open enrollment window in the fall of 2020. If you are already enrolled in an individual health insurance plan, and you are picking a different plan during the open enrollment, your current plan will end on December 31, and your new plan will take effect seamlessly on January 1.
If you are currently uninsured, you may have to wait up to two months from the time you enroll until your new plan takes effect since open enrollment starts a full two months before the start of 2021. If so, a short-term medical plan can bridge the gap for you. Short-term plans are available in most states, and the coverage can take effect as soon as the day after you purchase your plan.
What Happens If You Miss the Enrollment Deadline?
If you do not enroll in a health insurance plan by the end of open enrollment, your buying options will be limited for the coming year. Open enrollment will not be available until November 2021, with coverage effective the first of the following year. Depending on the circumstances, you may still be able to get coverage after open enrollment ends.
Medicaid Enrollment Is Available All Year
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment is available year-round for those who qualify. If your income drops to a Medicaid-eligible level, you will be able to enroll. Similarly, if you are on Medicaid and your income increases to a level that makes you ineligible for Medicaid, you will have an opportunity to switch to a private plan at that point, with the loss of your Medicaid plan serving as the qualifying event that triggers a special enrollment period.
Qualifying Events
If you have a qualifying event, you will have access to a special enrollment period (SEP). Qualifying events include marriage, the birth or adoption of a child, loss of other minimum essential coverage, or relocation where the available health plans are different from those available in your prior location.
Short-Term Health Plans
Under general federal rules, short-term health insurance plans can have initial terms of up to 364 days and a total duration of up to 36 months, including renewals. But most of the states placed more restrictive limits on the availability of short-term plans, and those state limits supersede the new federal rules.
Additional Health Insurance Options
Some health insurance providers offer coverage throughout the year with no conditions. To find out more about available, speak with an Insurance Enterprise agent. They can help you locate reputable insurance providers in your state and explore your coverage options.
Which Health Insurance Plan is Best for Me?
You may be wondering which health insurance company is the best? When choosing a plan, you first need to assess your personal healthcare needs, look at all your options, and choose a health insurance plan that fits in your budget. How do you determine which health insurance is best? Ask yourself these questions:
- How often do you visit your doctor?
- What type of treatment do you need in the next 12 months?
- What prescription drugs do you currently take?
- Which healthcare providers/physicians do you prefer?
Once you decide your healthcare needs, you can narrow your search to health insurance companies in your state. Some of the health insurance providers that we work with include:
We Offer Affordable Health Insurance in These States:
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Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
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Contact Insurance Enterprise for Premier Health Insurance
If you have questions about group or individual health insurance and need health insurance quotes, contact Insurance Enterprise at 888-350-6605. Speak to a licensed agent and find out more about how you can get an affordable health insurance plan.